Congress Passes New Wiretap Bill
From the Bill of Rights Defense Committee:
"Protect America Act" Passed
The vote in the House was 227-183; more than a score of Democrats voted in favor of increasing executive power with no judicial oversight to spy on U.S. communications with people in foreign countries. Telecom companies are also required to cooperate with the government without a court order. The bill passed is S. 1927, the same as the Senate passed yesterday, 60-28. Neither roll call is available yet. So, I can't tell you which representatives voted for the bill.
The Senate roll call will be available at this URL when posted: http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_
cfm.cfm?congress=110&session=1&vote=00309
The House roll call will be available at this URL when posted: http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2007/index.asp
House Approves Foreign Wiretap Bill http://www.denverpost.com/nationworld/ci_6543018
How Congress Was Hoodwinked
As I watched C-Span yesterday and today, I noted the apparent willingness to vote for extending administration powers was often based on the reputation of Mike McConnell, the Director of National Intelligence. McConnell’s current reputation reminds me of the once heroic reputation of John McCain, who was going to vote against torture back in 2005. That is, until he voted for the Detainee Treatment Act. It's the same with McConnell today. He's just a tool of the administration.
That’s why there is no excuse for any elected representative who voted out of fear or out of respect for Mike McConnell. No excuse for not seeing the man behind the curtain. No excuse for betraying our Bill of Rights once again. There are, however, many senators and representatives who saw through the hyperbole, and called this charade for what it was -- an attack on the Bill of Rights. Those patriots are our allies, and deserve our thanks for standing up to fear-mongering.
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Permanent link for this article which can be used on any website:
"Protect America Act" Passed
The vote in the House was 227-183; more than a score of Democrats voted in favor of increasing executive power with no judicial oversight to spy on U.S. communications with people in foreign countries. Telecom companies are also required to cooperate with the government without a court order. The bill passed is S. 1927, the same as the Senate passed yesterday, 60-28. Neither roll call is available yet. So, I can't tell you which representatives voted for the bill.
The Senate roll call will be available at this URL when posted: http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_
cfm.cfm?congress=110&session=1&vote=00309
The House roll call will be available at this URL when posted: http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2007/index.asp
House Approves Foreign Wiretap Bill http://www.denverpost.com/nationworld/ci_6543018
How Congress Was Hoodwinked
As I watched C-Span yesterday and today, I noted the apparent willingness to vote for extending administration powers was often based on the reputation of Mike McConnell, the Director of National Intelligence. McConnell’s current reputation reminds me of the once heroic reputation of John McCain, who was going to vote against torture back in 2005. That is, until he voted for the Detainee Treatment Act. It's the same with McConnell today. He's just a tool of the administration.
That’s why there is no excuse for any elected representative who voted out of fear or out of respect for Mike McConnell. No excuse for not seeing the man behind the curtain. No excuse for betraying our Bill of Rights once again. There are, however, many senators and representatives who saw through the hyperbole, and called this charade for what it was -- an attack on the Bill of Rights. Those patriots are our allies, and deserve our thanks for standing up to fear-mongering.
-----
Got comments? Email me, dammit!
Permanent link for this article which can be used on any website:
posted by Aaron Turpen @ 9:07 AM
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